No more bone-jarring tackles for John Lynch. The nine-time Pro Bowl safety retired Monday, saying it was time to begin a new phase of life after 11 seasons with Tampa Bay and four more with Denver. He felt so strongly about the relationships he built with both clubs that he decided against stepping down in the colors of either team. Nevertheless, returning to Tampa for the announcement spoke volumes. "I played 11 years here. We won a Super Bowl," said Lynch, a third-round pick by the Bucs in 1993.

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE WHITE SOX: Agreed to terms with C Sandy Alomar, Jr. on a one-year contract. Kansas City: Agreed to terms with LHP Brian Anderson on a two-year contract, and RHP Curtis Leskanic and 3B Joe Randa on one-year contracts. Oakland: Acquired OF Mark Kotsay from San Diego for C Ramon Hernandez and OF Terrence Long. Texas: Agreed to terms with OF Chad Allen and OF Jason Conti on minor league contracts. Toronto: Agreed to terms with LHP Bruce Chen on a minor league contract.

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE New York Yankees: Agreed to terms with LHP Felix Heredia on a two-year contract. NATIONAL LEAGUE CUBS: Agreed to terms with RHP LaTroy Hawkins on a two-year contract. Milwaukee: Agreed to terms with RHP Victor Santos, C Mark Johnson and OF Jon Nunnally on minor league contracts. Philadelphia: Acquired LHP Eric Milton from the Minnesota Twins for RHP Carlos Silva, INF Nick Punto and a player to be named. Named Bob Boone special assignment scout.

BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore Orioles: Purchased the contract of OF Tim Raines Jr. from Ottawa (IL). Sent RHP Travis Driskill outright to Ottawa. Boston Red Sox: Purchased the contract of RHP Bronson Arroyo from Pawtucket (IL). Optioned LHP Casey Fossum to Pawtucket. Recalled RHP Bob Howry from Pawtucket and placed him on the 60-day DL. New York Yankees: Traded LHP Sterling Hitchcock to the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Justin Pope and LHP Ben Julianel. NATIONAL LEAGUE Cincinnati Reds: Called up RHP Joe Valentine from Louisville (IL)